Melbourne Geelong Interconnection

The Melbourne Geelong Interconnection is part of Barwon Water's record five-year capital investment program securing the region's water supply for the future. 

What is the Melbourne Geelong Interconnection?

The interconnection is part of the Victorian Government's visionary long-term water strategy Our Water, Our Future. This multi-billion dollar strategy is designed to provide water for Victoria's growing population and economy. It will form part of the state water grid.

A 55 km underground pipeline will link Geelong's storage basins at Lovely Banks with the Melbourne water supply network at Cowies Hill, west of Werribee.

Why is the pipeline being built?

The wholly-owned and operated Barwon Water pipeline will ensure the Geelong region has ample water for growth and development over the next 20 years and beyond.

It will have the potential to provide up to 16 billion litres of drinking water a year, or about half of Geelong's current annual consumption.

The pipeline is part of Barwon Water's planning for the future. Combined with other key Barwon Water projects, it will provide water security to meet future demand and challenges such as climate change. 

What will the pipeline look like?

The pipeline will be 800 mm in diameter. It will extend from Melbourne Water's existing tank at Cowies Hill, west of Werribee, to Barwon Water's storage basins at Lovely Banks.

What is the status of the project?

Barwon Water is working on the design phase of the project.  Construction is envisaged to begin in mid-2010 and be completed by the end of 2011. Pre-construction activities will begin along the proposed route during 2009.

A preferred alignment has been selected and is shown on the map below. Further investigations, such as flora and fauna assessments, waterway assessments, cultural heritage assessments, land surveying and geotechnical surveying, will be required to more accurately determine the pipeline route.

Barwon Water will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including community interest groups.  Any potential cultural heritage issues will be dealt with in co-operation with local community representatives and Aboriginal Affairs, Victoria.

Are planning permits required and have these been granted?

Permits are required and we will be working with all the relevant State and Federal authorities to ensure that all the appropriate planning approvals for the project are obtained.

What is the estimated cost of the project?

The estimated cost of the project, based on preliminary planning to date, is $137.9 million (in current day dollars).

Will the price of water to Geelong consumers increase as a result of the pipeline?

Yes, with a project of this magnitude there will be an unavoidable price increase. However, this is still to be determined in consultation with the Essential Services Commission. Barwon Water is also negotiating with Melbourne Water to secure the best price possible for the bulk water for its customers.

How many jobs will the project create?

Up to 60 people will be employed in the design phase and up to 200 people during construction. This excludes Barwon Water staff. Additional jobs will be created during the manufacturing of the pipeline components.

Contact us

A dedicated project e-mail address mgi@barwonwater.vic.gov.au has been set up to respond to requests for information. Community members can also contact the Barwon Water Call Centre on 1300 656 007. Detailed enquiries that cannot be answered by call centre staff will be referred directly to the Barwon Water project team.

More information

Download the Community Info Bulletin: July 2009 (PDF 2 MB)

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